Event SummaryWe cordially invite you to apply for the 33rd Annual Southwest Arts Festival® Indio, presented by The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce. This highly acclaimed Festival is held at the world famous Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, home of the Coachella Music Festival. Featuring over 250 acclaimed artists showing traditional, contemporary and abstract fine works of art and quality crafts, the festival is a major, internationally recognized cultural event. 2018 attendance was over 10,000 with gross sales over one million dollars. Be a part of one of the best art shows in the nation.

General InformationJURY DETAILS

All entries will be juried.

All work must be original handcrafted work, this will be a particular point of emphasis both in the jury and at the festival this year. The artist guarantees the accuracy of the description of the works submitted. The artist guarantees the authenticity of the work as being created by his or her own hands.

Applications without image files will not be accepted. A blind jury process that includes a diverse group of artists reviews digital images. The identities of artists are not disclosed to the jurors. Please avoid submitting identities, signage on booth images or photos of the artist. If identifying objects are present, the photos will have to be resubmitted. The jury will view each applicant’s set of images along with the artist statements. Artistic excellence and a balanced selection of disciplines is the primary goal in selection of the artists. The top scores in each category will receive a personal invitation to participate in the festival. Remaining artists, based on scores and discipline will be placed on a wait list and notified of their acceptance if open spaces become available. Others will be notified of non-acceptance.

Please note: Decisions of the jury panel and show management are final.

New to digital jurying? Please visit www.zapplication.org for a full tutorial to assist you with the artist-friendly process. The website has a user-friendly on-line tutorial and other resources to make your on-line experience a success.

LOCATION

The Southwest Arts Festival® Indio is held at the world-renowned Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. Located at Monroe and Avenue 51, it is a Coachella Valley landmark, featuring the Coachella Valley’s natural landscape and sweeping mountain ranges.

EVENT DATES:

Artist Check-in/Set-up: Wednesday, January 23, 2019, 8 am – 5 pm

Day One: Thursday, January 24, 2019, Festival hours: 10 am – 5 pm

Day Two: Friday, January 25, 2019, Festival hours: 10 am – 5 pm

Day Three: Saturday, January 26, 2019, Festival hours: 10 am – 5 pm

Day Four: Sunday, January 27, 2019, Festival hours: 10 am – 5 pm

Artist Check-Out: Sunday, January 27, 2019, 4 pm – 7 pm

Artist Load-Out: Sunday, January 27, 2019, 4 pm – 10 pm (Note all patrons must be cleared of the grounds before load out can begin.)

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

Application Opens: July 16, 2018

Early Bird Application Deadline: August 14, 2018

Application Deadline: October 9, 2018

Jurying Complete by: October 19, 2018

Notifications Sent electronically by: October 29, 2018

Booth Fees/Commitments/Artist Agreement Form/Space Preference Form/Digital copy of SBE Permit Due: Must be received by November 21, 2018 (if by mail, postmarked by November 19, 2018) NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Application Fee:

Each application must be accompanied by the$45 jury fee (Early bird by August 14, 2018) $55 Jury fee after August 14, 2018. Applicants may choose to pay through Zapplication by credit card, or by check made payable to The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce (mailed to The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber, 82921 Indio Blvd., Indio CA 92201). NO credit card payments will be accepted via email. This non-refundable jury fee check will be deposited upon receipt. Artists applying in more than one category must submit a separate application for each category.

Space Fees/Acceptance of Offer to Exhibit:

All artists selected to exhibit and wishes to do so, must return Booth Fees/Commitments/Artist Agreement Form/Space Preference Form/Digital copy of SBE Permit to The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce by November 21, 2018. Failure to respond by the deadline WILL result in revocation of the invitation.

Applicants are responsible for keeping The Southwest Arts Festival® Indio management advised of current contact information.

Digital Images:

Five (5) images must be submitted for each application entered by the artist

Four (4) images must be individual pieces of work

The fifth image must be a display of the artist’s work, showing the overall continuity and presentation of the current body of work. The fifth image is mandatory. If a booth image per se is not available, submit an image taken of a grouping of works representative of the works to be exhibited at the show. The purpose of the booth image is to ensure the artist has a complete body of work, which is represented, both in the first four images and also within the fifth image. It also helps identify the scale of the artist’s work. PLEASE NOTE: This is a blind jury process; please avoid submitting booth images with any identifiable sign, or photo of the artist themselves.

Mandatory Commission: 15% of all sales are due on the last day of the festival at check-out, January 27th by 7 PM.
(If not agreeable to paying the 15% commission, please reconsider and do not apply). To make this process easier a completed quick checkout form will be required with your Booth Fees/Commitments/Artist Agreement Form/Space Preference Form/Digital copy of SBE Permit Due: All forms must be received by November 21, 2018.

ADDITIONAL FEES:

Artist Cancelation fee will be assessed if artist cancels. Cancelation within two (2) weeks prior to the event will result in a 50% cancellation fee. All fees are non-refundable for any cancelation less than 14 days prior to the show.

Returned Check Fee: $50, plus an additional administration fee of $25.00 will also apply.

MEDIA CATEGORIES:

Clay: Art objects, either functional or decorative of earthenware, porcelain or tile, made by shaping and then firing. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed, the artist must sign each piece.

Drawing: This is two-dimensional work that is made directly by hand using a drawing instrument onto the finished surface. An exception is an electronic method of drawing via a digitizing device. It is acceptable to use computer software to create an image that is subsequently printed one time only on a laser or ink jet printer.

Glass: Original handmade stained or etched glass and original handmade blown glass.

Jewelry: Any mix of materials and any method of construction used to create an artificial three-dimensional adornment intended to be worn. Mass produced items may not be exhibited.

Metal Works: Original sculptural or decorative items created in metal. May be painted or unpainted. No commercial or volume production items. All work must be signed by the artist.

Other: Art that does not fit into any other category listed.

Painting: This category includes two-dimensional images that are not included in drawing, photography or printmaking. This includes all forms of application of paint, dyes and similarly applied materials. This category includes batik and collage. It is acceptable to use computer software to create an image that is subsequently printed one time only on a laser or ink jet printer as a painting.

Photography: This is work resulting from the use of a camera. One-of-a-kind prints, as well as multiple prints are included. An image created on photographic paper by direct exposure, without the use of a camera is also acceptable. Prints made from negatives, transparencies, or digital files and manipulated with computer programs and printed on large scale ink-jet printers are included here. Collages or assemblages of photographs, made by the artists, are included. There is no requirement to number images.

Printmaking: This category includes any method used to pull an image from a surface (stone, block, plate, screen, etc.) prepared by the artist. The image may be deposited on any kind of surface (paper, foils, films, cloth, etc.). Multiple copies may be made each as an original object, where each is numbered and signed.

Sculpture: Any material, or combination of materials, that has more than two-dimensions and is intended to be viewed from more than one side. Sculpture is usually considered to be non-functional. Size, method of construction, types or mixes of materials and number of reproductions (as in bronzes) are not limited in the category.

Textile: Any material, cotton, wool, acrylic, gold, silver, etc. that is woven or bonded in some way that converts the original material to one that is made into a wearable item or a weaving. Factory reproduced wearable items modified or enhanced by the artists may not be exhibited.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST in The Southwest Arts Festival®. We look forward to presenting an exceptional and popular event that will become your favorite show of the season!

Rules/Regulations
All work must be original handcrafted work. The artist guarantees the accuracy of the description of the works submitted. The artist guarantees the authenticity of the work as being created by his or her own hands.

All work must be original handcrafted work. The artist guarantees the accuracy of the description of the works submitted. The artist guarantees the authenticity of the work as being created by his or her own hands.

3. All artwork must be signed. All artwork displayed must be for sale. Limited edition offset lithographs and giclees are acceptable only if signed and numbered. No more than 30% of the total number of pieces of art in your display may be comprised of limited editions or giclees.

4. Artist applying in more than one category must submit a separate application for each category.

5. Artist must be present with their work throughout the entire four days of the event.

6. Artist may only display the work in the media category in which they were accepted.

7. Each artist is responsible for collecting California state and local sales taxes required by law. Each artist must display on site and provide an image file (upon acceptance) a valid California State Seller’s Permit (SBE Permit). Out of state artists may acquire a CA SBE Permit at www.boe.ca.gov

8. Each artist is responsible for paying a 15% sales commission to The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce at the conclusion of the festival. It is the responsibility of the artist to settle any discrepancies regarding daily sales total and commission due before leaving the premises at the conclusion of the Festival.

9. Sales “on approval” are allowed by following procedures defined in Festival Booklet emailed to all accepted artists. All sales “on approval” or other sales after the close of the Festival, attributed to showing at The Southwest Arts Festival® Indio are subject to the same 15% sales commission defined in handbook.

10. Each artist, by accepting admission to The Southwest Arts Festival® Indio and paying space fees, grants permission to The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce and its business entities to use images of their work in the printed program, website, social media post, and other digital properties, advertisement, and promotional materials for the purpose of promoting the Southwest Arts Festival® Indio. Credit will be given whenever possible for images so used, understanding that some advertising mediums do not allow sufficient space or an appropriate place to issue credits.

11. All artists displaying in The Southwest Arts Festival® must be prepared for inclement weather. Artists must be prepared to display in bad weather, moderate winds, rain, etc. If the situation warrants, the Festival Management will announce any change in the scheduled course of the event. Festival management reserves the right to close the show, for a period of time as needed, should weather or other external factors pose a threat to the safety of guests.

12. Any artists who is found to have intentionally attempted to circumvent the commission fee described in handbook, including but not limited to failing to issue a receipt for purchase or failing to record the accurate and true amount of a sale on a receipt, will be held in breach of their agreement with festival management and may be asked to leave the grounds.The festival uses several methods to ensure accurate recording of sales without being intrusive to artists or customers, including collection of receipts at the exit and silent observers on the grounds.If any artists are in strong disagreement with the commission arrangement, or feel they may be unable to meet the receipt and commission requirements, we strongly recommend that artist not apply to this show.

Booth Information
Standard artist space size will be 12’ x 12’ to house a booth structure. Multiple spaces (up to 4) are available. Artists are responsible for providing all booth structures, racks, tables, chairs, display panels, lighting or other fixtures. Rebar 36” x ½” is required to anchor all display canopies. Its use will be enforced. Other methods of staking are not acceptable. Digital image of booth structure must represent booth quality you plan to display at the festival.

Space assignments are at the sole discretion of festival management and are not interchangeable. The Southwest Arts Festival® Indio management will attempt to honor any request but cannot make guarantees - PLEASE NOTE: Booth assignments are first come first serve, all paperwork must be received before booth will be assigned.

LEGAL AGREEMENT:
By submitting this application, artist acknowledges that artist has read the rules, procedures and details outlined in the application materials. Artist acknowledges eligibility and display requirements. Artist will display and sell only artist’s own work as represented by the four (4) images presented for jury. Artist hereby releases and holds harmless the Southwest Arts Festival® Indio, The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Empire Polo Club and the City of Indio, and all their employees, volunteers, staff, representatives, vendors and affiliated organizations from any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages or costs including attorney's fees for any injury incurred before, during or after The Southwest Arts Festival®. Artist hereby releases the forgoing entities or parties from all actions, claims and losses artist may now have or have hereafter, for damage to or theft of artwork, equipment, display materials or personal property.